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Fire Academy Events

Decision Making for Initial Company Operations (NFA Direct Delivery) - Waterbury Fire Station

Location:  Waterbury Fire Station
Date:  October 7 & 8, 2017
Registration deadline:  August 23, 2017
Time:  0800 - 1600

Register by submitting a General Admission Application to the Vermont Fire Academy by the deadline indicated above.

Course description:
This two-day course is designed to develop the decision making skills needed by Company Officers (COs) to accomplish assigned tactics at structure fires. All activities and scenarios used in this course are based on structure fires. With the real possibility of being the first to arrive at an incident, the CO’s initial decisions will have an impact throughout the entire incident. It is vital that COs be able to make good management decisions that have a favorable impact on the eventual outcome. In addition to a possible role as the initial Incident Commander, the CO may well be assigned a subordinate position within the Incident Command System organization. COs need to have a clear understanding of the system, the position that they are assigned to, and their role in the organization if they are to function effectively and help make the system work.

 

Firefighter I Certification Challenge Exam - Pittsford

Firefighter I Challenge Examination
Location:  Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford
When:  Thursday, June 16, 2016
Time:  0830 until finished
Application deadline: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Individuals who have not completed an approved Vermont Fire Academy sanctioned Firefighter I Course, but who feel they have obtained the necessary training by some other means; or whose previous certifications are more than 2 editions in arrears of the current NFPA 1001 standard, may challenge the Firefighter I Exam.  To be eligible to take the Firefighter I Challenge Exam, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the test date and submit proof of the following training with their challenge exam application:

  • Current Adult and Child CPR with AED Certification
  • Current First Aid with Environmental Emergencies Certifications
  • Hazardous Materials Operations that qualifies as current with NFPA 472.
  • Highway Safety
  • Wildland Firefighter (9 hours)
  • ICS100: Introduction to Incident Command System

Challenge Exam Part 1:  Written Exam

The written exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on the knowledge requirements outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications.  Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70.  Candidates are permitted two attempts at passing the written exam.  A second attempt may take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.

Challenge Exam Part 2:  Practical Skills Exam

The practical skills exam consists of 10 practical skill stations based on the requisite skills outlined in the current edition of NFPA 1001, Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications.  Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory skill performance in each of these skill stations.  Two attempts per skill station are permitted at the initial skills exam.  Candidates are permitted one retest opportunity consisting of two additional attempts for stations that are failed plus an additional randomly selected skill station.  The retest opportunity must take place after 14 days but before 60 days of the first attempt and will be conducted at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.  If the candidate fails to pass either the previously failed skill station or the additional random skill station, then the challenge process ends.

Firefighter I Certification is granted once a candidate passes both the written and practical skills exams.

Download the Challenge Exam Application

NFA: New Fire Chief: Challenging Issues - Pittsford

Each year, the Vermont Fire Academy hosts National Fire Academy direct delivery courses in an effort to bring fresh, new courses to our responders without the long travel to the National Fire Academy.  The following course offerings are being presented at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford.  All classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  Apply by submitting a General Admission Application to the Vermont Fire Academy by the application deadlines listed below.

New Fire Chief:  Challenging Issues - June 11 & 12, 2016
Application deadline: May 1, 2016

This course is designed to develop the managerial, administrative and leadership skills necessary for the first time fire chief and chief officer who desire a leadership position in their department. This course addresses critical knowledge and skills pertaining to the responsibilities of a fire chief including such topics as local politics and the role of the chief officer, liability and risk management, resources and items of knowledge needed to become a first time leader in a new position in their agency.

The primary candidates for this course include new or emerging chief officers in a volunteer or combination fire department or emergency service organization. The secondary candidate is a person who is a new career chief, department leader or emerging leader of fire department or emergency service organization. This course is open to all interested emergency services personnel including volunteer, career, and allied professionals, the class is intended primarily for those who have served or will begin to serve soon in leadership positions and who seek to learn more effective ways of managing and leading their agency.

 

Fire Officer I/II Course - Hartford

Location:  Hartford Town Hall, (hosted by the Hartford Fire Department)

Course Schedule: 
Orientation:  Tuesday, April 12, 2016 (0830 - 1600)
Week 1:  May 9 - 13 (0830 - 1700)
Week 2:  May 23 - 27 (0830 - 1700)
Week 3: June 6 - 10 (0830 - 1700)

This program provides the current Fire Officers and aspiring officers timely information that aids in the performance as a company officer. This educationally sound, objective-based course addresses and complies with the National Fire Protection Association Standard, NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, 2014 Edition.  Topics covered include developing the proper mind set, accountability and responsibility, cultural diversity, safety and wellness, crew resource management, public relations, functional leadership, incident command, affirmative action issues, budgeting process, strategic planning, and strategy and tactics.

The course also includes a research component where the participants complete 12 research projects on assigned topics based on their own fire departments protocol, policies and practices.  An additional 40 to 80 hours of course work is required in addition to the course hours listed above.

Application Deadline: Close of Business on Monday, March 28, 2016.  Applicants must submit a completed General Admission Application to the Vermont Fire Academy by the application deadline.

This is a Pilot delivery therefore space is limited to a maximum 15 students. Due to course demand, seats will be awarded to applicants based on fair department disbursement and the applicant's need for certification. An applicant's Chief or Training Officer may be consulted during the decision making process.

Prerequisites: 
• Responder Hazardous Materials Operations Certification that qualified as current with NFPA 472.
• Current National Certification in Firefighter II
• Current National Certification in Fire and Emergency Services Instructor I
• NIMS Certification: ICS-200

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